Navigation Links
Research builds on genetic link to autism and schizophrenia
Date:2/24/2010

A genetic link between schizophrenia and autism is enabling researchers to study the effectiveness of drugs used to treat both illnesses.

Dr Steve Clapcote from the University of Leeds's Faculty of Biological Sciences will be analysing behaviour displayed by mice with a genetic mutation linked to schizophrenia and autism and seeing how antipsychotic drugs affect their behavioural abnormalities.

"We don't fully understand how the drugs used to treat schizophrenia and some symptoms of autism work," explained Dr Clapcote. "If we can show they can affect mice with this particular genetic mutation, then it gives us a clue to better understand the illnesses and opens up the possibility of more targeted treatments with fewer side effects."

A number of autism and schizophrenia patients have been found to have mutations of neurexin 1a, a protein which helps to form and maintain nerve signals in the brain. Scientists in the USA recently discovered that mice with the same genetic mutation display behavioural abnormalities which are consistent with schizophrenia and autism.

Dr Clapcote is planning to build on these initial findings to provide further evidence for a genetic link to the conditions. He also aims to assess the impact on the mice of antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia and some symptoms of autism.

"The genetic studies so far are suggesting a common cause for both schizophrenia and autism, which is something our studies will help to establish," said Dr Clapcote. "However, these illnesses are complex, involving not only inheritance, but other factors such as environment and experience. It's possible the genetic mutation might create a predisposition, making people more likely to develop autism or schizophrenia."

The mice will be run through a series of tests designed to assess behaviour related to autism and/or schizophrenia: hyperactivity, sensitivity to psychostimulants, attention levels, memory, social interaction an
'/>"/>

Contact: Dr. Steve Clapcote
s.j.clapcote@leeds.ac.uk
44-113-343-3041
University of Leeds
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Research shows skeleton to be endocrine organ
2. Newly created cancer stem cells could aid breast cancer research
3. Dominant cholesterol-metabolism ideas challenged by new research
4. Researchers identify proteins involved in new neurodegenerative syndrome
5. Texas researchers and educators head for Antarctica
6. MGH researchers describe new way to identify, evolve novel enzymes
7. University of Pennsylvania researchers develop formula to gauge risk of disease clusters
8. University of Oregon researcher finds that on waters surface, nitric acid is not so tough
9. U of MN researchers discover noninvasive diagnostic tool for brain diseases
10. U of Minnesota researchers discover noninvasive diagnostic tool for brain diseases
11. Story ideas from the Journal of Lipid Research
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/21/2013)... Cancers of all types become most deadly when they ... has reached this stage, it becomes very difficult for ... can develop. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri ... target lymphoma tumor cells wherever they may be in ... in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine, says being ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... The American Chemical Society (ACS), the world,s largest ... 246th National Meeting & Exposition, September 8-12, 2013, ... the Indiana Convention Center and at area hotels. ... discoveries that span science,s horizons from astronomy ... broadcast and online journalists a rich assortment of ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... way genes function without changing the underlying DNA ... of pregnant women during any trimester, potentially providing ... weeks after giving birth, and an opportunity to ... of the small study involving 52 pregnant women ... Psychiatry . , "Postpartum depression can be harmful ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):MU researchers develop radioactive nanoparticles that target cancer cells 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 2Genetic predictors of postpartum depression uncovered by Hopkins researchers 3
... (MRSA) in swine and swine workers in the United States ... The investigators found a strain of MRSA, known as ST398, ... the paper published online Jan. 23 by the science journal ... of swine by MRSA was very common in one of ...
... 22, 2009 -- The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation announced ... cancer have won the 2009 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Awards. ... year to three projects by early-career scientists that have the ... and treatment of cancer. The 2009 ...
... University] Brown University researchers have identified a cellular ... The finding by Stephen Helfand and Nicola Neretti ... Helfand, a professor of biology, molecular biology, cell biology ... identified a mutation in the Indy ("I,m Not Dead ...
Cached Biology News:Study finds MRSA in Midwestern swine, workers 22009 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Awards granted for pioneering ideas in cancer research 22009 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Awards granted for pioneering ideas in cancer research 32009 Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Awards granted for pioneering ideas in cancer research 4Scientists unlock possible aging secret in genetically altered fruit fly 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 Savoury Systems ... has appointed Dale Braddy to Southeastern USA Sales Broker. ... its sales muscle in the Southeast. , ... ingredient brokerage and supplier to food processors and industrial ... years in the food industry and has over 25 ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013 According ... Research ( http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com ) "Biochip Products and Services Market ... - U.S. Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2012 - 2018," ... 2011 and is expected to grow at a CAGR ... estimated value of USD 4.7 billion in 2018. ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... 2013 Emerson Resources Inc. , ... Charles Signorino, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman ... 32 years of service. As part of Emerson Resources’ ... has been named as Dr. Signorino’s successor. , ... industry, having made a significant contribution to the field ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  Personal Genome Diagnostics ... its proprietary methodologies and expertise in genomic analysis ... targets in collaboration with Blueprint Medicines.  PGDx is ... identifying genomic alterations in tumors, and Blueprint Medicines ... inhibitors for a genetically defined patient population. ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 2The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 3The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 4The U.S. Biochip Products and Services Market is Expected to Reach USD 4.7 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research 5Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 2Emerson Resources Announces CEO Retirement and Appointment of Successor 3Personal Genome Diagnostics And Blueprint Medicines Form Collaboration to Identify Novel Kinase Targets 2Personal Genome Diagnostics And Blueprint Medicines Form Collaboration to Identify Novel Kinase Targets 3
... Up in the sky. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's ... denial in a single bound. Indeed, lately the media has been ... to result from the mass exodus of Baby Boomers from the ... believe that this trend and its impacts on businesses are black ...
... Milwaukee, Wis. - The National Cancer Institute ... Medical College of Wisconsin to study the growth ... second successful renewal of the grant that was first awarded ... ongoing principal investigator. , ,She and other investigators are developing ...
... This is the ninth in a series of articles ... sectors. The most recent article focused on worker classification. ... The idea is developed. Lawyers and accountants are on ... is formed. The name has been chosen. Perhaps workers, ...
Cached Biology Technology:Shades of gray: Business impacts of an aging workforce 2Shades of gray: Business impacts of an aging workforce 3Shades of gray: Business impacts of an aging workforce 4Shades of gray: Business impacts of an aging workforce 5Shades of gray: Business impacts of an aging workforce 6Early Stage, Step 9: Raising capital in the securities landscape 2Early Stage, Step 9: Raising capital in the securities landscape 3Early Stage, Step 9: Raising capital in the securities landscape 4
... The Bio-Plex suspension array system, 100-240 ... technology) for simultaneous quantitative analysis of up ... single microplate well. The suspension array is ... sets, each of which may be conjugated ...
Cell Culture Flask, 75 cm, nontreated polystyrene...
... system uses two Adept CE 4100 high ... 4200 dual wavelength detector for added flexibility. ... PowerStream data processing software and interface unit, CE ... The supplied analytical pumps may be substituted by ...
... is ideal for routine binary separations. Excellent ... CE 4201 UV-Visible variable wavelength detector. Ultra-fine ... the two highly accurate and precise, high ... delivery pumps., Chromatograms may be plotted on a ...
Biology Products: